Disney: We'll ride parks, pass on new ones

ORLANDO -- Disney has "no plans to open new theme parks. Instead we
are focusing on building on our position as a market leader."

Those were the words of Jay Rasulo, president of Walt Disney
Parks & Resorts, who cited a "protracted downturn" in saying
that Disney is adjusting its strategy from expansion to
capitalizing on the advantages of its strong market position.

As Disney headed into a new fiscal year, it reported a "gradual
improvement" that "appears to be continuing." Domestic operations
are seeing some growth, Rasulo said, but the short booking window
makes projections difficult.

In the last decade and a half, Disney has grown by expansion,
Rasulo said, noting that during the last five years, the company
has focused on creating a "multi-park resort" at each of its
destinations.

But the period of rapid expansion has ended, Rasulo said.

In August, Disney said revenue for its parks and resorts unit
fell to $1.7 billion in its fiscal- third quarter, from $1.8
billion a year earlier. The decline was tied to declining hotel
occupancies and park attendance.

Rasulo said Wednesday that Disney will use "natural synergies"
to "leverage one of the world's strongest brands."

The company will continue to market around "strong themes," he
said. For example, Mission: Space ride is opening this week, and
Disney will also push a new Magical Gatherings theme to tap into
the rising trend of multi-household and multi-generational
travel.

Disney, meanwhile is preparing a major promotion for
Disneyland's 50th anniversary in 2005.

The exception to the no "new" theme parks stance is that Disney
intends to proceed with the opening of the new theme park in Hong
Kong. It broke ground in January.